Magnetic tip-up signal for ice fishing

ABSTRACT

An ice-fishing signal device comprising a line reel submerged in a hole in the ice, which reel rotates when a fish is caught on the line. A pair of magnets are superimposed axially and face to face; one being fixed for rotation with the reel, and the other nonrotatable and fixed integrally with a flagstaff. The signal is initially set with the poles of the magnets so related that the unlike, opposed poles thereof are mutually aligned, thus maintain positive magnetic contact between the magnets. Rotation of the reel when the line is being unwound by a fish, rotates the magnet that is integral with the reel, thus breaking the magnetic attraction and permitting the flag to assume an erect position and indicating that a fish is on the line.

I United States Patent [151 3,641,693 Pinnow 1 Feb. 15, 1972 [54]MAGNETIC TIP-UP SIGNAL FOR ICE 3,352,048 11/1967 Fleming ..43/ 17FISHING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Invent James Racme 374,8453/1964 Switzerland ..24/20i B [22] Filed: Jan. 11,1971

Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi [2]] Appl' l05164 Attorney-Axel H.Johnson [52] [1.8. CL ..43/l7, 24/201 B, 116/132, [57] ABSTRACT [51]Int. Cl An ice-fishing signal device comprising a line reel submerged[58] new l7 2 in a hole in the ice, which reel rotates when a fish iscaught on 43/17 MS B 230 5 f the line. A pair of magnets aresuperimposed axially and face 287/DIG to face; one being fixed forrotation with the reel, and the other nonrotatable and fixed integrallywith a flagstaff. The signal is initially set with the poles of themagnets so related [56] References Cited that the unlike, opposed polesthereof are mutually aligned, UNITED STATES PATENTS thus maintainpositive magnetic contact between the magnets. Rotation of the reel whenthe line is being unwound by a fish, 2,226,287 12/1940 Miller ..2l3/75rotates the magnet that is integral with the reel thus breaking2,608,783 9/1952 Rodgers. ....43/17 the magnetic attraction andpermitting the flag to assume an g s et erect position and indicatingthat a fish is on the line. c mi 3,213,561 10/1965 Roemer ..43/17 9Claims, 9 Drawing Figures MAGNETIC TIP-UP SIGNAL FOR ICE FISHINGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a signal device employed to indicate the presence of a fishon the line when ice fishing.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art devices of this naturecomprise various mechanically actuated trip mechanisms which release aflag and permits the latter to extend upwardly and indicate the presenceof a fish on the line. The applicant is not presently aware of relatedprior art patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns a signal deviceemployed by fishermen when fishing through a hole in the ice covering abody of water. The fishermen frequently sets up a number of these signaldevices and watches them from a convenient position.

These devices embrace a means to signal the presence of a fish on theline, usually by a flag on a staff. The device is initially set so thatthe flag support staff is in a horizontal position. When the signal istripped, the flagstaff assumes an upright position.

The device of this invention employs a pair of magnets of the type knownas cobalt magnets, and having N and S poles; one magnet being'mounted torotate with a line reel and coaxial therewith. The other magnet issecured to a flexible flagstaff. When the device is set for signalling,the staff is flexed so as to position the magnets face to face, with theopposed magnetic poles thereof in mutual alignment. An indicating meansis provided relative to each magnet to indicate the setting position.When a fish causes a rotation of the reel by unwinding the line, themagnetic forces retaining the magnets in mutual contact is broken,releasing the flag to an upright position. An object, therefore, of thisinvention is to provide a reliable signal device having as thecontrolling means thereof a pair of magnets rotatable relative to eachother.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom a consideration of the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of theinvention is shown. It is, however, to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the details disclosed, but includes all suchvariations as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the device mounted over a hole in theice of a body of water, and set for actuation, with the flag also asreleased shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a section taken at 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a section taken at 9-9 of FIG. 8.

The preferred form of this signal device comprises a base 10 of suitablematerial such as wood, and of a length to span a hole in the ice of aconvenient size. A tubular member 12 is mounted in a pivoted block 14,the latter being pivoted in a slot 16 of base 10 about a bolt 18 topermit securing the device vertically relative to the base, and also topermit the folding of the device into the base 10 for storage when notin use.

Tubular member 12 surrounds a shaft 20 which is joumaled for rotation inbearings 22 and 24 which are inserted in the member 12 at the lower andupper ends thereof, respectively.

A line reel 26 is threadedly secured to the lower end of shaft 20 and alocknut 28 secures the reel against rotation relative to the shaft.

Bearing 22 is provided with an enlargement 30 having a flange 32. A lineguide 34 is supported for rotation about the enlargement 30 by means ofa ring 36 which is free to rotate about the axis of shaft 20 in responseto the direction of the pull on the line 38. The upper end of shaft 20is threaded to receive a control unit 21 comprising a lower magnet hub40. An upper magnet hub 42 is positioned coaxially over hub 40 when thedevice is set for signaling. A locknut 44 secures hub 40 againstrotation relative to shaft 20.

The gist of this invention is the provision of identical lower and upperdisk magnets 46 and 48 respectively, and having central apertures 50 and52. Each of these magnets have diametrically opposed N and S poles asshown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Magnet 46 is mounted in a recess in hub 40 andis secured integrally therein by a suitable adhesive or by some othermeans. Magnet 48 is similarly mounted in a recess in hub 42; however hub42 is provided with a centering pin 54 which freely enters aperture 50when magnets 46 and 48 are in face-to-face contact as shown in FIGS. 1and 3. In order for the signal device to function as intended when setas shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the following relationship of the magnetsmust exist: The poles 5" and N" of magnet 48 are superimposed over polesN and S" of magnet 46, thus providing the magnetic force necessary tomaintain a positive contact between the magnets. This function of themagnets 46 and 48 is explained by the rule of physics that like polesrepel, and unlike poles attract. In order to assure alignment of themagnets 46 and 48 with respect to the poles, reference marks 56 and 58are provided in hubs 40 and 42 in the form of drilled apertures;however, other markings such as a punch mark is satisfactory. Thereference mark 56 establishes the position of the S pole of magnet 46,and mark 58 establishes the position of the N pole of magnet 48. Thuswhen the reference marks 56 and 58 are circumferentially aligned as inFIG. 3, the magnetic attraction between magnets 46 and 48 are at themaximum and maintains the setting when using the signal device. Hub 42terminates upwardly in a shank 60 having a hole 62, and a transverseopen slot 64 as shown in FIG. 4.

The signal means comprises a flagstaff 66 of flexible material such assteel or other metal and is inserted through hole 62 of the shank 60. Aspiral spring member 68 is suitably and securely mounted in an uprighthole in said base 10 and spaced transversely from the tubular member 12as shown in FIG. 1, and is of a length to provide the necessaryresiliency. The staff 66 is provided with a plug 70 secured thereto andwhich plug is forced into the inner bore of the spring 68, thusproviding a resilient support for the staff 66. The normal releasedposition of the staff is upwardly as shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines.The staff 66 terminates at the opposite end in a signal flag 72 of clothor other suitable material, and is usually red in color.

In order to assure that pin 54 of hub 42 will align with aperture 50 ofmagnet 46 when the signal device is set to operate, a spring clip 74 isprovided. This clip is seated in slot 64 and is formed so as to embracestaff 66 as shown in FIG. 3., This clip permits freedom for magnets 46and 48 to seat freely with their faces in mutual contact when the signaldevice has been set for operation.

When using this device, the base 10 is positioned across the hole in theice as shown in FIG. 1, with line 38 unreeled in the direction of arrow76, and supported in guide 34. Staff 66 is flexed laterally to aposition permitting magnet 48 to rest upon magnet 46 while alsocircumferentially aligning mark 56 with mark 58 by rotating reel 26, andas shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The device is now set to signal the presenceof a fish on the line 38 by merely a quarter of a turn of the reel 26 ineither direction of rotation, thus releasing the staff 66 and permittingit to extend upright.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured byLetters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a signal means for use in fishing, comprising a base, a shafthaving a perpendicular axis and journaled for rotation relative to saidbase and extending downwardly therefrom, said shaft extending upwardlyto terminate in a control unit, an upwardly directed flagstaff mountedupon said base and spaced from said shaft, said staff yieldable relativeto said base in a plane common to said axis, said control unitcomprising a lower hub integral with said shaft, an upper hub positionedabove said lower hub, a lower magnet position in said lower hub anddefined by an upper face, an upper magnet positioned in said upper huband defined by a lower face, said magnets being positioned with saidfaces in mutual contact by virtue of the magnetic attraction thereof,said staff brought to bear integrally with said upper hub and tending toseparate said upper magnet from said lower magnet, and to assume anupright position upon rotation of said lower magnet and interrupting ofsaid magnetic attraction.

2. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which said shaftterminates at the lower end thereof in a reel.

3. In a signal means as set forth in claim I, in which said lower andupper hubs are coaxial with said axis.

4. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which said lower andupper magnets are cylindrical and coaxial with said axis.

5. In a signal means as set forth in claim 4, in which said magnets havea central aperture defined by said axis.

6. In a signal means as set forth in claim 5, in which said upper hubhas a centering pin for insertion in the said central aperture of saidlower magnet.

7. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which said lower andupper hubs are provided with peripheral reference marks to indicateorientation of the magnetic poles of said lower and upper magnets.

8. In a signal means as set forth in claim I, in which said staff isprovided with a signal flag at a position upwardly from said base.

9. In a signal means as set forth in claim I, in which said staff issupported in said base by means of an upwardly directed coil spring.

1. In a signal means for use in fishing, comprising a base, a shafthaving a perpendicular axis and journaled for rotation relative to saidbase and extending downwardly therefrom, said shaft extending upwardlyto terminate in a control unit, an upwardly directed flagstaff mountedupon said base and spaced from said shaft, said staff yieldable relativeto said base in a plane common to said axis, said control unitcomprising a lower hub integral with said shaft, an upper hub positionedabove said lower hub, a lower magnet position in said lower hub anddefined by an upper face, an upper magnet positioned in said upper huband defined by a lower face, said magnets being positioned with saidfaces in mutual contact by virtue of the magnetic attraction thereof,said staff brought to bear integrally with said upper hub and tending toseparate said upper magnet from said lower magnet, and to assume anupright position upon rotation of said lower magnet and interrupting ofsaid magnetic attraction.
 2. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1,in which said shaft terminates at the lower end thereof in a reel.
 3. Ina signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which said lower and upperhubs are coaxial with said axis.
 4. In a signal means as set forth inclaim 1, in which said lower and upper magnets are cylindrical andcoaxial with said axis.
 5. In a signal means as set forth in claim 4, inwhich said magnets have a central aperture defined by said axis.
 6. In asignal means as set forth in claim 5, in which said upper hub has acentering pin for insertion in the said central aperture of said lowermagnet.
 7. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which saidlower and upper hubs are provided with peripheral reference marks toindicate orientation of the magnetic poles of said lower and uppermagnets.
 8. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which saidstaff is provided with a signal flag at a position upwardly from saidbase.
 9. In a signal means as set forth in claim 1, in which said staffis supported in said base by means of an upwardly directed coil spring.